Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
249. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education whether she has any plans to re-open the residential institutions redress in order to accommodate those people who, due to the nature of their personal trauma, were unable to apply before the deadline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19975/23]
View answerThe Redress Scheme operated by the Residential Institutions Redress Board which was in place for people who had suffered abuse in a number of scheduled institutions had an original closing date of 31st December 2005 but the Board were able to accept applications after that closing date where exceptional circumstances existed. Overall the board accepted applications over a nine year period and there were extensive communications to raise awareness of the board among those eligible to apply. The Board continued to accept late applications until the Residential Institutions Redress (Amendment) Act, 2011 was enacted. This legislation removed the Board’s power to accept late applications received on or after the 17th September 2011.
